One big thing: WWE Hall of Famer JBL weighs in on ESPN’s Joe Tessitore joining WWE Raw as play-by-play commentator
JBL, speaking on “Huge Pop Radio,” offered his perspective on Tessitore’s transition from ESPN to WWE:
• “Joe seems like a really bright guy. He does a wonderful job with football and he’s very well-researched,” JBL said.
• He believes Tessitore will do well but acknowledges the unique challenges of WWE commentary.
• JBL emphasized that WWE commentators are “part of the show” rather than traditional sports announcers.
Why it matters
Tessitore’s move to WWE represents a significant shift from traditional sports broadcasting to sports entertainment. His adaptation to this new role could impact the viewer experience and WWE’s presentation style.
The challenges ahead
JBL highlighted key differences Tessitore might face:
• Wrestling commentary is more art than science, unlike traditional sports.
• Commentators must cater to ongoing storylines, not just call the action.
• The way matches are called can significantly impact character development and storylines.
By the numbers
• Tessitore joins WWE after years at ESPN, where he called NFL and college football games, as well as boxing matches.
• He’s now part of a two-person commentary team on Raw, alongside color commentator Wade Barrett.
The bottom line
Despite the challenges, JBL believes Tessitore’s intelligence and experience will serve him well in adapting to WWE’s unique broadcasting style.
What do you think about Joe Tessitore joining the WWE commentary team? Will his sports broadcasting background be an asset or a hindrance? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!
